Shipping Container Questions -- Answered

Yes -- always. Every quote we provide includes delivery to your Tennessee ZIP code. No freight charges added at checkout, no surprise fuel surcharges the day before delivery, no re-delivery fees. The price we quote is the price you pay. Period.

Most orders deliver within 1-2 weeks after your order is confirmed. More remote areas may take slightly longer. We'll always give you a delivery estimate when you confirm. If you need something faster, call us and we'll see what we can do.

Containers are delivered on a tilt-bed truck that needs straight, level clearance to slide the container off:

• 20ft container: 105-110 ft of straight clearance from the drop point
• 40ft container: 125-130 ft of straight clearance from the drop point

The truck also needs about 10-12 ft width and overhead clearance -- low-hanging utility lines, trees, or overhangs can block delivery.

Watch how container delivery works: Container Delivery Video

Container prices vary based on size, condition (used WWT vs. one-trip new), and your location in Tennessee. Pricing changes with market conditions and inventory availability. The best way to get an accurate, current price is to fill out our quote form or give us a call. Every quote is all-in with delivery included.

We sell containers outright, and we also work with financing partners who offer rent-to-own and lease-to-own programs. These let you spread payments over time and own the container at the end. We do not offer short-term rentals. If you need a container, you are buying it or financing it. Call us and we'll walk you through the options that fit your budget.

Nashville-Davidson County's Metropolitan Codes Department typically requires a permit for storage containers placed on a property longer than a short temporary period, or for structural use. Short-term construction containers are often allowed for 30-60 days. Contact Nashville Codes at (615) 862-6590 for your specific address. Read our full Tennessee permits guide.

In Memphis and Shelby County, permit requirements depend on your zoning district and intended use. Temporary construction containers are generally allowed for a limited period. Long-term storage or structural use typically requires a permit from the Memphis and Shelby County Division of Planning and Development.

Tennessee's rural and unincorporated areas are among the most container-friendly in the country. Many rural counties have minimal zoning regulations and do not require permits for storage containers on private property. Some counties may require permits for converting a container into a dwelling. Call your county building department to confirm.

Very well structurally. Shipping containers are engineered for ocean freight environments including tropical humidity. Tennessee's hot, humid summers and mild winters are within design parameters. Our WWT-certified containers keep contents dry year-round.

Condensation management is important in Tennessee. The state's humidity means containers can develop interior condensation ("container rain"), especially during spring and fall when temperatures swing between warm days and cool nights. Ventilation helps -- passive vents, turbine roof vents, or desiccant packs inside.

Annual maintenance is minimal. Inspect door seals yearly, touch up rust spots, and keep debris off the roof. Read our Tennessee insulation guide.

Tennessee, particularly the western and middle portions, is in an active tornado zone. Shipping containers can withstand winds up to about 180 mph when properly anchored. An unanchored empty container can shift or tip in strong winds. We strongly recommend anchoring using concrete footings with embedded anchor plates, screw-type ground anchors, or twist-lock connections to concrete pads. This is especially important in West and Middle Tennessee.

Absolutely. We deliver to farm properties, rural addresses, and agricultural land across all three grand divisions of Tennessee. If you have unpaved road access, let us know the road conditions and we'll coordinate. The delivery truck needs a reasonably firm surface to extend the tilt-bed and slide the container off.

Yes. Tennessee follows the International Residential Code (IRC), which accommodates alternative construction methods including shipping container homes. You will need building permits and inspections in most jurisdictions. Key considerations:

• Foundation varies by region: East Tennessee has rocky soil, Middle Tennessee has expansive clay, West Tennessee has softer alluvial soil
• Tornado anchoring: West and Middle Tennessee are in tornado alley -- structural anchoring is critical
• Energy code: Tennessee is in IECC climate zones 3-4, requiring insulation to meet energy standards
• Rural areas are easiest: Many rural counties have minimal zoning, making container home builds straightforward

Read our full container homes guide.

Tennessee has no state income tax on wages, which means more of your income stays available for property improvements including container purchases. Combined with lower property costs in many Tennessee counties compared to neighboring states, container-based projects -- whether for storage, workshops, or container homes -- can be a strong investment. This is one reason Tennessee has become a popular destination for people relocating and building on rural acreage.

Nashville is one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S., and construction is booming across the metro area. Contractors, developers, and homeowners all need secure on-site storage during builds and renovations. The growth in surrounding suburbs like Franklin, Murfreesboro, Mount Juliet, and Spring Hill has extended demand well beyond Davidson County. We also see strong demand from Nashville's music, entertainment, and hospitality industries for modified containers used as pop-up venues and walk-in coolers.

WWT stands for Wind and Water Tight. It means the container has been inspected and certified to keep wind and rain out -- doors seal properly, no holes, structure is sound. All of our used containers are WWT certified before delivery. Surface rust and minor cosmetic dents are normal but the interior stays dry.

A one-trip container has made exactly one ocean crossing and is essentially like new. Minimal surface marks, clean floors, mostly intact paint. One-trip units cost more but are worth considering for conversion projects, sensitive storage, or when appearance matters.

We offer 20ft standard, 40ft standard, and 40ft high cube containers, plus modified and refrigerated units.

Size	Interior	Capacity	Weight
20ft Standard	19'4" x 7'8" x 7'10"	1,170 cu ft	~5,070 lbs
40ft Standard	39'5" x 7'8" x 7'10"	2,350 cu ft	~8,380 lbs
40ft High Cube	39'5" x 7'8" x 8'10"	2,694 cu ft	~8,775 lbs

Man doors, roll-up doors, windows, vents, electrical, LED lighting, insulation, spray foam, HVAC, shelving, workbenches, exterior paint, and more. Insulation is important in Tennessee (climate zones 3-4) where both summer heat and winter cold need management. Spray foam is the most popular choice for Tennessee containers.

Reefer containers have an integrated refrigeration unit. They plug into 460V 3-phase electrical and maintain temperatures from -25 F to +70 F. For properties without 3-phase power, a compatible generator works. Popular in Tennessee for distilleries, produce farms, caterers, and food distributors.

For temporary storage, level compacted ground or gravel works. For permanent placement:

• Railroad ties or treated timber (budget-friendly)
• Concrete blocks at the four corners (solid, affordable)
• Gravel pad (excellent drainage -- important in Tennessee's rainy climate)
• Poured concrete slab (best for conversions)

Tennessee's frost depth is 12-18 inches. Good drainage is critical given the state's 50+ inches of annual rainfall.

Regional soil considerations: East Tennessee has rocky soil that may need excavation. Middle Tennessee has clay-heavy soil that expands and contracts with moisture. West Tennessee has softer alluvial soil near the Mississippi River floodplain. Gravel pads work well in all three regions.

Gravel is ideal, especially in Tennessee's wet climate. It drains well and keeps the container off wet ground. Dirt or grass works temporarily, but moisture pooling is a bigger concern in Tennessee's humid environment. For long-term placement on dirt or grass, put down crushed gravel or railroad ties to keep air flowing underneath.

Very secure. Made from 14-gauge Corten steel. Use a hidden shackle lock ("hockey puck lock") with a lockbox welded to the door. Many of our containers come with lockboxes already installed. For high-security needs, add crossbar locks or electronic locks.

Yes. We work with financing partners who offer rent-to-own, lease-to-own, and traditional financing. You don't need to pay the full amount upfront. Call us and we'll connect you with a financing option.

Common uses in Tennessee include:

• On-site storage for contractors and construction crews
• Farm and agricultural equipment storage
• Extra garage or workshop space
• Job-site offices
• Hunting cabins and rural retreats
• Retail pop-up shops
• Distillery and restaurant walk-in coolers (reefer units)
• Home renovation temporary storage
• Vehicle, ATV, and boat storage
• Container home conversions